Oct
28
Written by:
ngreditor
10/28/2009 6:50 AM
Area under the influenza
Kenneth Purscell
The flu is not a distant story any more. The season has arrived, a little earlier than usual. This year it comes with the added twist of confirmed cases of the H1N1 strain, a virus causing what the World Health Organization has called a “pandemic.”
“We have seen an increase in the number of flu cases,” said Jeanne Temme of Boone County Medical Clinic. “Mostly it’s the usual symptoms: fever, aches, coughing, nausea, and so on. Everyone’s symptoms are a little different.
“We have done some H1N1 testing,” she went on, “and we have come up with some positives. We don’t test everyone, but we just assume that people have the new strain.”
The Newman Grove Medical Clinic has also seen an increase in flu cases locally, according to Linda Formanek. Some of these tested positive for the H1N1 strain.
The early arrival of flu season is unusual. Normally the flu peaks around February, says the Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services. The latest website indicates that influenza is widespread throughout the state.
This has caused some difficulty close to home. “Last Thursday we had about 20% absent,” said Newman Grove School Superintendent Herb Pokorny. “The three day weekend helped a lot, and [absent] rate has gone way back down.”
However, there have been no changes of policy at the school. “If they show sign of fever, we send them home,” said Pokorny. “And we are consulting with Elkhorn – Logan Valley Health Department about the situation.”
The story is different, though, at Mid-Nebraska Lutheran Home. “We have had some staff stay home with the flu,” said Ray Herbert, “but none of the residents have come down with flu of any kind.”
The home does have signs posted, asking that visitors please come back another day if they are showing any signs of illness, such as a cough.
“Our best advice if you are ill is to stay at home as much as you can,” said Jeanne Temme. “Not everyone has to be seen in the clinics. We encourage people to start treatment with over the counter medicine for fever and cough, to drink lots of fluids and get rest.
“Some do have health issues and need to be seen, though,” Temme continued. “If you’re not better by day five or six, you at least need to call in.”
Some high-risk patients are being treated with anti-viral medications, she said. “But these really aren’t for everyone. We would not have enough to serve everyone.”
Other than self-treatment for lesser cases, the advice is to wash hands often and avoid touching one’s face.
The DHHS site also reminds parents not to give aspirin to a child or teenager who has the flu. Aspirin in young people has been linked to Reye’s Syndrome, a potentially fatal condition.
Seasonal flu vaccine has been available for some weeks now, but so far no one is reporting that the H1N1 vaccine has arrived in the area.
Even when it arrives, its first use will be with priority groups: pregnant women, health services personnel, children 6 months through 24 years of age, and people with chronic health conditions.
“The H1N1 vaccine will not be available here [at the Newman Grove Clinic],” said Linda Formanek. “When it comes, people will have to travel to Albion.”
“We are waiting the new vaccine here,” said Ray Herbert at MNLH. “It just has not come yet.”
The school has sent home information and permission slips for H1N1 vaccination. “Children are a priority for the shots,” said Herb Pokorny. The vaccine would be available through the Health Department.
Mostly, though, the situation is not dire. Nobody has reported any influenza deaths in the area; although nationwide the toll has crossed one thousand. At this stage the situation is watchful waiting and self-care. And, if one comes down with the illness, the advice from everyone has been the same: take care of yourself and endure.
“There’s no magic to it,” said Pokorny. “We just have to go through it.”
Copyright ©2009 Newman Grove Reporter